NEW DELHI: A little over a year ago, Shreyas Iyer exuded confidence as he settled into a chair for a media interaction ahead of the IPL 2024 final in Chennai. His slow gait, cap tilted below his eyes, and his favorite Guns N' Roses track playing on his phone set the tone. The yellow sneakers gleamed as brightly as the solitaires in his ears, and his impromptu 'See You Again' greeting to rival captain Pat Cummins eased the room before business began.
A Turbulent Build-Up
The lead-up to that season was far from ideal for the right-hander. He had lost his central contract, was deemed 'not serious' about the game, and fell off the radar despite a stellar 2023 ODI World Cup campaign. He repeatedly mentioned that his back needed attention, but no one listened. His inability to convert starts in the first two home Tests against England in 2024 led selectors to make a tough call. He again cited discomfort in his back during long innings, but the rumor mill worked overtime to label him as 'not serious'. Critics pointed to his run-out of Ben Stokes, but Iyer chose to ignore the noise and, as the cliché goes, control the controllables.
Domestic Dominance and International Snubs
An IPL title with Kolkata Knight Riders followed, but normalcy remained elusive. His bat continued to rage in domestic cricket, yet selectors found 'no room' for him in Test and T20I squads. Ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy, he was not in the original Playing XI plans. However, when Virat Kohli's niggle opened a door in the preceding bilateral series, Iyer seized the opportunity. He nonchalantly revealed the late call-up after a brisk half-century.
The Champions Trophy saw him become India's unsung MVP. On sluggish surfaces, he held the middle-order together, playing a pivotal role in another ICC title win. Months later, he embraced the Punjab Kings challenge in the IPL, enhancing his reputation as a leader who walks the talk. Another IPL final as captain made life difficult for selectors.
Leadership Recognition and Injury Setbacks
Conversations about rewarding his leadership grew louder in BCCI corridors, bolstered by strong domestic performances. Every time an India squad omitted his name, the outcry was unprecedented, spanning T20I and Test formats. His strong outings for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy kept him in Test conversations, but momentum halted when he stepped away from multi-day cricket to prioritize his back health. He risked judgment again but chose well-being.
Then came elevation as ODI vice-captain, followed by a nasty near-fatal fall in Australia while taking a sensational catch during the ODI series. Just as things aligned, destiny intervened, putting him on a hospital bed in a foreign land. Initial estimates sidelined him for months, causing him to miss the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Mumbai—a tournament that could have boosted his T20I World Cup chances.
He switched off, vacationed with close friends, and returned determined to hit the ground running when medical clearance arrived. Strength training resumed, running started, and after net sessions with childhood coach Pravin Amre, he checked into the BCCI Centre of Excellence hoping for clearance for the ODI series against New Zealand. 'I want that clearance and to get back to cricket. I will only leave Bengaluru with it,' he told his inner circle as he spent New Year's Eve alone in a hotel.
Return to Play Hurdles
Just as progress seemed steady, another hurdle emerged. The BCCI medical team initially followed parameters for multi-day cricket; only after Iyer reminded them he wasn't playing that format did stakeholders agree to grant clearance, subject to fitness. With formalities complete, his comeback happened, and he returned to the T20I squad as a backup. However, the wait to feature in the shortest format extended.
Suryakumar Yadav led India to a title, but his batting form and selectors' planning for the T20 World Cup kept Iyer in conversations. The elevation in the fifty-over leadership setup was part of Ajit Agarkar's big picture. Another strong start for Punjab Kings, coupled with consistency at No. 4, made decision-makers read the writing on the wall.
Captaincy Nod and Overcoming Doubts
Nearly a month before the selection meeting for the Ireland and England T20Is, a consensus emerged to move on from Suryakumar Yadav, and Iyer got the nod. Even Punjab Kings' late slump did not change their mind. They arrived at the decision after considering his performance over the last two seasons with bat and as captain. Other options were on the table but none came close.
The rumor mill returned in overdrive, suggesting head coach Gautam Gambhir was not in favor of Iyer's appointment. The 2024 KKR season was cited, as Iyer had unapologetically mentioned he never received credit for the title win. However, his mindset never changed—it was always about winning at any cost, even if it meant putting his body on the line months after a near-fatal injury. He did not hesitate to go airborne in front of the Mumbai Indians dugout to silence a roaring Wankhede crowd in the IPL. When his arms spread wide as if daring thousands to 'talk now,' he could not care less. A wicket was earned, the side was placed better, and that is all that mattered.
On June 6, he virtually attended the selection meeting as captain for the Ireland and England T20Is. After fulfilling duties, he will reach Wankhede to participate in the T20 Mumbai League fixture against a side led by Suryakumar Yadav, the incumbent he replaced as captain.
'See You Again' would have been an appropriate tune to hum, but Iyer would prefer a line from Guns N' Roses' 'Sweet Child O' Mine'.
